The Planning Authority, through the Development Planning Fund, will be financing 22 different projects in 13 localities in Malta and Gozo, with a global amount of €4 million, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg announced on Tuesday.
These include funding of more than €2.2 million towards the regeneration of the Sirens aquatic club site in St Paul’s Bay.
The project will not only result in a pool and other necessary ancillary facilities for the practice of sport, such as changing rooms, toilets, spectator stands and other facilities of this kind, but will also extend use of the site underground with the inclusion of a gym and a diving centre.
Borg said the club could never have implemented this ambitious project without the necessary help and that is why the intervention of the Planning Authority’s fund was important.
He explained how the last investment made in this club was in 2001, and while the need for a facility upgrade was felt for a long time, this help was never found until today. The Minister said that the financing of the Sirens project is important for several reasons, including the fact that a project like this translates into social and economic benefits for the residents and schools of St Paul’s Bay and its surrounding areas. He said that this continues to complement other work which the Government is implementing in this locality where, among others, investments in road infrastructure are underway.
Borg explained how over two years, 84 projects have already been financed through the same fund.
“The variety of projects being financed through this fund is clear proof that we need to continue working hand in hand with local councils so that we can continue knowing our residents and being aware of what they need. At the end of the day, the Government’s main goal is to witness continuous improvement in the quality of life and the standard of living of the people, people who form part of these communities which are witnessing such improvement through the initiative being taken by their local councils who can take this step thanks to the Development Planning Fund which the Planning Authority sets up for them,” he said.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and the Property MarketChris Agius, described this investment of over €2.2 million as a record investment – the greatest amount of funds ever given by the PA’s Development Planning Fund, and which will go to this proposal.
Agius stressed how important it is that all those who work within their communities apply for financing from this important fund.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government and Communities, Silvio Parnis, noted with satisfaction that the funds given to these 12 local councils through the Development Planning Fund, are being reused by the local councils, for the good of the community.
Parliamentary Secretary for Youths, Sports and Voluntary Organisations Clifton Grima emphasised how this project is a clear example of how the Government is focused on bringing sport to the national agenda through work among a number of Ministries and Departments where the fruit of this collaboration will be state-of-the-art facilities through which Maltese athletes will have places with high standards at which to train.